Description
XKA Screw Conveyor Inspection Hatch
The XKA Screw Conveyor Inspection Hatch provides maintenance access beneath the first inlet and at the internal hanger-bearing positions of a tubular screw conveyor.
Available models include XKA168, XKA219, XKA273 and XKA323, corresponding to screw conveyor diameters of 168 mm, 219 mm, 273 mm and 323 mm.
The curved mounting profile of each model follows its specified conveyor tube. Selecting the correct hatch therefore requires more than comparing the appearance of the cover. The conveyor diameter, tube curvature, existing opening and access position must all correspond.
XKA inspection hatches can be supplied for:
- New screw conveyor manufacturing
- Replacement of an existing access hatch
- Maintenance access beneath the first inlet
- Access beneath internal hanger bearings
- Screw conveyor rebuilding projects
- Spare-parts stock for maintenance teams
XKA Inspection Hatch Models and Dimensions
Dimensions: mm
| Model | Screw Conveyor Diameter | A | B | C | D | E | F | T | U | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XKA168 | 168 | 274 | 150 | 144 | 265 | 300 | 71 | — | 267 | 3.5 kg |
| XKA219 | 219 | 274 | 187 | 180 | 265 | 300 | 71 | 181 | 267 | 3.5 kg |
| XKA273 | 273 | 274 | 212 | 205 | 265 | 300 | 71 | 206 | 267 | 3.5 kg |
| XKA323 | 323 | 274 | 236 | 230 | 265 | 300 | 71 | 230 | 267 | 3.5 kg |
Dimensions A, D, E, F and U remain consistent across the four models, while B, C and T change according to the conveyor diameter and curved mounting profile.
The model should be checked against the product drawing and the actual conveyor tube before installation. A hatch made for a different diameter may not follow the tube correctly or align with the prepared opening.
Access Beneath the First Inlet
The first inlet is where material enters the conveyor and begins filling the screw flights.
An inspection hatch positioned beneath this area provides direct access to the material entry point. It allows the maintenance team to reach the inlet section without removing the complete inlet connection or dismantling a longer section of conveyor tube.
This position is useful for checking:
- Material remaining beneath the inlet
- Restricted material entry
- Foreign objects near the first screw flight
- Condition of the inlet-side flight section
- Internal condition before cleaning or maintenance
The opening should align with the area that actually requires access. Installing the hatch too far away from the inlet reduces its usefulness even when the model matches the conveyor diameter.
Access Beneath the Hanger Bearing
Long screw conveyors may use sectional screw shafts supported by one or more internal hanger bearings.
The hanger bearing, shaft coupling and gap between adjacent screw flight sections are located inside the conveyor tube. An inspection hatch beneath this position gives maintenance personnel access to these components without separating the complete conveyor body.
Access can be used for:
- Inspecting the hanger-bearing position
- Reaching the shaft connection
- Checking the coupling area
- Removing accumulated material around the support
- Preparing the internal section for bearing replacement
The hatch position must correspond with the actual hanger-bearing location shown on the conveyor drawing. Tube diameter alone cannot determine where the opening should be placed.
Where a conveyor contains several hanger bearings, access should be considered at each internal support position that may require inspection or replacement.
Selecting the Correct XKA Model
The conveyor diameter provides the first model reference:
| Conveyor Diameter | Matching XKA Model |
|---|---|
| 168 mm | XKA168 |
| 219 mm | XKA219 |
| 273 mm | XKA273 |
| 323 mm | XKA323 |
For a new conveyor, the hatch and tube opening can be arranged together during manufacturing.
For a replacement order, also confirm:
- Existing tube diameter
- Original hatch model, when visible
- Existing opening length and width
- Outside dimensions of the hatch frame
- Curvature of the mounting surface
- Opening direction
- Position beneath the inlet or hanger bearing
- Clearance around nearby supports and platforms
An XKA219 should not be treated as a guaranteed replacement for every hatch installed on a 219 mm conveyor. The conveyor diameter may match while the original cutout or frame dimensions differ.
Clear photographs of the hatch in both its open and closed positions help confirm the existing arrangement.
New Installation and Replacement
Installation on a New Screw Conveyor
For a new conveyor, the number and position of inspection hatches should be confirmed before the conveyor tube is prepared.
The drawing should identify:
- First inlet position
- Hanger-bearing positions
- Number of inspection hatches
- Opening direction
- External maintenance access
- Nearby support brackets
Planning the access points with the internal shaft arrangement prevents the opening from being placed away from the component that requires maintenance.
Replacement on an Existing Conveyor
When replacing a damaged or missing hatch, record the existing opening before removing or modifying the surrounding frame.
Please measure:
- Screw conveyor diameter
- Opening length and width
- Frame contact dimensions
- Distance from the inlet or hanger-bearing center
- Available space for opening the cover
When the old hatch is missing, photographs should show the complete opening, surrounding tube and a measuring scale. Selecting a replacement only from the external shape is not reliable because the XKA models have a similar overall design.
Information Required for Quotation
Please provide:
- Required XKA model, when known
- Screw conveyor diameter
- Installation beneath the inlet or hanger bearing
- Existing opening dimensions
- New installation or replacement
- Quantity required
- Photos of the conveyor tube
- Photos of the existing hatch or opening
- Available external access space
For a complete new conveyor, the inspection-hatch positions can be marked directly on the conveyor drawing.
For spare-parts orders, identify each unit by its complete XKA model rather than using only the general description “inspection hatch.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need an inspection hatch beneath every hanger bearing?
Access should normally be considered at each hanger-bearing position that may require inspection or replacement.
The final quantity depends on the number and location of hanger bearings inside the conveyor. The hatch positions should be confirmed together with the internal shaft and bearing layout.
Can an XKA219 directly replace any hatch on a 219 mm screw conveyor?
Not automatically.
XKA219 corresponds to a 219 mm conveyor diameter, but the existing opening, frame dimensions, mounting profile and opening direction should still be checked. A matching tube diameter does not guarantee that the original cutout is identical.
The old hatch is missing. How can we identify the correct XKA model?
Start by measuring the screw conveyor diameter. Then provide the tube-opening dimensions, mounting-surface width and photographs of the opening and surrounding conveyor body.
The conveyor diameter identifies the likely XKA model, while the opening measurements confirm whether the existing tube was prepared for that configuration.
Can an inspection hatch be added to an installed screw conveyor?
Yes, provided the required access position can be confirmed before the tube is prepared.
The first inlet, hanger bearing, shaft coupling, internal flight sections and external supports should be located so that the new hatch opens at the correct maintenance point.
Can the same XKA hatch be used on different conveyor diameters?
No. Each model has a lower mounting profile designed for its corresponding conveyor diameter.
Although the overall appearance is similar, the B, C and T dimensions change between XKA168, XKA219, XKA273 and XKA323.
How much external space is needed around the inspection hatch?
Enough clearance should remain for the hatch to open and for maintenance personnel to reach the internal component below the inlet or hanger bearing.
Nearby supports, platforms, guards and structural members should be shown on the installation drawing so that they do not block access after the conveyor is installed.
